Legal regulation of the position of minorities has had a long and complex tradition in the Czech lands. In 1938, a so-called minority status was under preparation; it represented a systematic legal regulation of the position of ethnic and language minorities.
After World War II, the rights of minorities were generally refused and no regulation in this respect existed. The political relief of 1968 brought in a new situation.
A special commission was established to work on the federalization of the state and on the regulation of the rights of minorities. Both constitutional acts were passed on 27th October 1968, symbolically meeting the 50th anniversary of the Republic.